Governance

The Council is composed of high-level representatives from the member states which jointly fund EUMETSAT programmes and activities. The financial contributions of member states to mandatory programmes, such as Meteosat or the EUMETSAT Polar System, are proportional to the Gross National Income (GNI) of the individual member state.

The Director-General is the Chief Executive Officer and legal representative of EUMETSAT, reporting to the Council. They are responsible for the implementation of all Council decisions and for the execution of all tasks and commitments of the organisation.

The Council adopts the programmes, decides on the accession of new members, and approves the EUMETSAT budgets, based on votes by the member states. Each member state has one vote.

Depending on their nature and importance, decisions are made by unanimous vote, by a qualified majority or by a simple majority. Major decisions must be taken unanimously or with a majority representing at least two thirds of the financial contributions and one half of the member states.

The Council usually meets twice a year (in spring and autumn) for ordinary sessions and can also meet in an extraordinary session to discuss and decide on special issues.

The decisions of the EUMETSAT Council are prepared by advisory bodies:

• The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)
• The Scientific and Technical Group (STG)
• The Administrative and Finance Group (AFG)
• The Data Policy Group (DPG)

The Chairs of these bodies attend the Council meetings.

Council Leaders

Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) Leaders

The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) advises Council on all matters that affect EUMETSAT's policy and strategy.

Scientific & Technical Group (STG) Leaders

The Scientific & Technical Group (STG) advises the Council on all scientific and technical aspects.

The STG is responsible for assessing the implications of any changes to mission objectives and for ensuring that requirements of the meteorological services of the member states are taken into account. In addition, the STG coordinates the relations with EUMETSAT’s users and recommends to Council any action related to the international coordination of programmes.

Furthermore the STG reviews the EUMETSAT satellite system performance and studies future programmes and requirements. Members of the STG are representatives of interested national delegations to the Council (one per member state) which may be assisted by advisers. The STG may also invite specialists for certain areas of its mandate.

STG Science Working Group (STG-SWG) Leaders

The STG-SWG provides scientific guidance and assessment of activities relevant to the definition and derivation of new products from EUMETSAT’s operational missions, and to the definition of future mission requirements.

STG Operations Working Group (STG-OWG) Leaders

The STG Operations Working Group (STG-OWG) provides guidance on issues concerning the usage of EUMETSAT’s operational space and ground systems, covering all EUMETSAT operational missions.

Administrative & Finance Group (AFG) Leaders

The AFG advises Council on all administrative and financial aspects , including budgets, audits, procurements and contracts, personnel and legal matters.

Data Policy Group (DPG) Leaders

The Data Policy Group (DPG) advises Council on all aspects of the EUMETSAT Data Policy.

Joint Advisory Group (JAG) Leaders

The European Weather Cloud Joint Advisory Group (EWC-JAG) advises the Councils of ECMWF and EUMETSAT on all aspects related to the EWC strategy.